[OVERVIEW]
Latias faces competition from similar Dragon-types, such as Latios and Hydreigon; however, it is much bulkier than they are and has access to a great support movepool. Because Latias has better defenses than its offensive brother, Latios, most Latias tend to go down the supportive route, as Latias is outclassed by Latios in every way offensively. Latias, however, faces competition from Cresselia as a supportive Psychic-type. Unlike most bulky Psychic-types, Latias has much more offensive presence and a much better Speed tier. It also works well against sun and rain teams, as Latias resists the weather-boosted attacks.
[SET]
name: Offensive Support
move 1: Ice Beam
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Tailwind
move 4: Helping Hand / Roost
item: Sitrus Berry
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 236 HP / 4 Def / 12 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Ice Beam is used over a Dragon-type STAB move because it has more utility, hitting both Thundurus and Landorus-T for super effective damage; Draco Meteor will deal minuscule damage with little Special Attack investment. Psychic is Latias's Psychic-type STAB move and is used over Psyshock because VGC 2015 is much more physically oriented, so defensive Pokemon such as Amoonguss and Mega Venusaur will tend to run more Defense investment. Tailwind is a form of speed control that gives Latias a niche over other bulky Psychic-types. Helping Hand allows Latias to support its teammate and compensate for its average offenses by boosting the power of its partner's attack, while Roost provides longevity.
Set Details
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Maximum Speed investment with a Timid nature allows Latias to take advantage of its Speed, which sets it apart from other bulky Psychic-types. 236 HP EVs provide good mixed bulk, while 12 Special Attack EVs allow Latias to OHKO bulky non-Assault Vest Landorus-T with Ice Beam and 2HKO standard Amoonguss and Mega Venusaur with Psychic. Sitrus Berry increases Latias's longevity without having to use Roost.
Usage Tips
========
Latias's Psychic / Dragon typing allows it to switch into a lot of common Pokemon fairly easily such as Mega Charizard Y, Rotom-W, and Thundurus. Latias's blistering Speed can allow it to set up Tailwind more easily than most support Pokemon, such as Togekiss.
Team Options
========
Landorus-T is a great partner for Latias, as it is able to use Earthquake without damaging Latias and can remove Steel-types that Latias has trouble breaking through, such as Aegislash and Heatran. Mamoswine greatly benefits from Tailwind and can also remove Steel-types, such as Heatran, that Latias cannot touch. Terrakion is also a nice partner due to its ability to hit Steel-types hard, while Latias can check Fighting-types and Amoonguss, which threaten Terrakion. Latias's ability to semi-check Landorus-T also greatly benefits Terrakion. Steel-types have great synergy with Latias, as they are able to remove Fairy-types as well as switch into Dragon- and Fairy-type moves aimed at Latias with ease. Specifically, Pokemon such as Aegislash, which can provide Wide Guard to block Hyper Voice from Mega Gardevoir and Sylveon, and Heatran, which can remove opposing Steel-types that wall Latias and also greatly benefits from Tailwind and Latias's ability to check opposing Fighting-types, are great partners for Latias. Mega Metagross checks opposing Fairy- and Ice-types and enjoys Helping Hand support as well as Latias's ability to check Landorus-T; however, both it and Latias are helpless against Aegislash and Bisharp.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Alternate support options include Heal Pulse, Light Screen, Reflect, Charm, and Healing Wish, which can be a major game changer by healing back a powerhouse Pokemon, such as Mega Kangaskhan or Mega Charizard Y. Icy Wind can also be used as an alternate speed control option. Latias has many other item choices at its disposal if Sitrus Berry is being used on a different Pokemon. Colbur Berry, Roseli Berry, Haban Berry, and Yache Berry are all viable item choices on Latias, as they can allow it to survive a hit that it normally wouldn't be able to, such as Draco Meteor or Pixilate Hyper Voice. Leftovers provides passive recovery for Latias. Draco Meteor or Dragon Pulse can be used should your team need the Dragon-type coverage. More offensive sets, such as a Choice Scarf set, can be used, though it is heavily outclassed by Latios in that department. A Calm Mind set with Latiasite is another viable choice for an offensive set.
Checks and Counters
=================
**Defensive Typing Advantage**: Many Steel-types can easily switch into Latias's STAB moves, such as Aegislash, Metagross, and Heatran, and force it out. Latias will be forced to run Hidden Power to hit some of these Pokemon. Certain Fairy-types, such as Togekiss and Clefable, can easily switch into Latias's attacks as well.
**Offensive Typing Advantage**: Faster Dragon-types, such as Choice Scarf Hydreigon, can force Latias out with their Dragon-type STAB moves. Dark-types, such as Tyranitar and Weavile, can easily force Latias out too, with the former being able to tank a Draco Meteor and the latter being able to outspeed Latias and hit it hard with a Knock Off. Offensive Fairy-types are a huge problem for Latias too. Sylveon can OHKO Latias with Hyper Voice, while Mega Gardevoir resists or is immune to both of Latias's STAB moves.
**Speed Control**: Latias's blistering Speed is one of its strong points over slower, bulkier Dragon-types, such as Hydreigon and Goodra. If that's taken away, Latias will not be as threatening, especially if it has used Draco Meteor already. Common speed control users, such as Clefable, Suicune, and Cresselia, can tank Latias's moves and cripple it.
**Taunt**: Taunt shuts down all of Latias's support options, leaving it with, at best, Psychic and Ice Beam. Latias will also be dead weight if the foe uses Taunt on it or after Latias has used Draco Meteor.
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